Tag Archives: Russell Westbrook

James Harden or Russell Westbrook?

Note: Since certain stats weren’t around 5 yrs ago, I will compare the two based off the last 3 seasons. Ever since the 2016-2017 NBA MVP race, the NBA community has been debating who the superior player was, both have great cases so it isn’t as easy to pick one as some may think it is.

OFFENSE

Scoring

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

25.4 ppg

9.5/21.1 = 44.9%

1.2/4.1 on 3s = 29.8%

5.3/7.1 on FTs = 73.7%

30.4 ppg

9/20.1 = 44.9%

3.7/ 10 on 3s = 37%

8.7/10 on FTs

2016-2017

31.6 ppg

10.2/24 = 42.5%

2.5/7.2 = 34.3%

8.8/10.4 = 84.5 %

29.1 ppg

8.3/18.9 = 44%

3.2/9.3 on 3s = 34.7%

9.2/10.9 on FTs

2015-2016

23.5 ppg

8.2/18.1 = 45.4%

1.3/ 4.3 = 29.6%

5.8/7.2 = 81.2%

29.0 ppg

8.7/19.7 = 43.9%

2.9/8.0 on 3s = 35.9%

8.8/10.2 on FTs = 86%

Midrange

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

211/530 = 39.8%

50/128 = 39.1%

2016-2017

216/595 = 36.3%

65/158 = 41.1%

2015-2016

144/336 = 42.9%

128/316 = 40.5%

Restricted Area

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

395/667 = 59.2%

281/450 = 62.4%

2016-2017

341/596 = 57.2%

275/420 = 65.5%

2015-2016

334/577 = 57.9%

277/456 = 60.7%

Catch and shoot

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

34/95 = 35.8%

26/76 on 3s = 34.2%

45/123 = 36.6%

44/120 on 3s = 36.7%

2016-2017

66/184 = 35.9%

54/155 on 3s = 34.8%

80/202 = 39.6%

77/195 on 3s = 39.5%

2015-2016

36/108 = 33.3%

32/96 on 3s = 33.3%

106/262 = 40.5%

104/251 on 3s = 41.4%

Pull up Jumpers

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

284/781 = 35.9%

63/225 on 3s = 28%

282/704 = 40.1%

213/549 on 3s = 38.8%

2016-2017

378/1006 = 37.6%

139/401 on 3s = 34.7%

269/740 = 36.4%

181/536 on 3s = 33.8%

2015-2016

243/643 = 37.8%

67/235 on 3s = 28.5%

281/731 = 38.4%

126/378 on 3s = 33.3%

Off Screen

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

25 points

9/20

45% FG

39 points

10/16

62.5% FG

2016-2017

50 points

18/39

46.2% FG

46 points

16/46

34.8% FG

2015-2016

21 points

9/18

50% FG

83 points

25/68

36.8% FG

Isolation

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

122/335 = 36.4%

7.5% tov frequency

38.8% score frequency

251/567 = 44.3%

4.7% tov frequency

51% score frequency

2016-2017

172/443 = 38.8%

6.0 TOV Frequency

41.5% score frequency

157/421 = 37.3=

10.3 tov frequency

41.1% score frequency

2015-2016

73/206 = 35.4%

11.8% tov frequency

35.4% score frequency

159/430 = 37%

10.2% tov frequency

41.5% score frequency

Thoughts: James Harden is the better scorer, he has that deadly step back, better shooter all around, he’s even better at finishing around the rim, Russ does have the edge in midrange Js and off screen points, but that’s it. Russ may score more points in a big game, but not efficiently.

Iso DEFENSE

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

46 points

15/45 = 33.3%

10.3% tov frequency

36.2% score frequency

91 points

35/96 = 36.5%

7.9% tov frequency

38.6% score frequency

2016-2017

51 points

20/47 = 42.6%

12.3% tov frequency

38.6% score frequency

86 points

25/67 = 37%

8.7% tov frequency

44.6% score frequency

2015-2016

49 points

20/51 = 39.2%

10% tov frequency

38.3% score frequency

78 points

28/87 = 32.2%

8.4% tov frequency

36.4% score frequency

Defensive efforts

Russell Westbrook

2017-2018

265 deflections

174 loose balls recovered

281 contested shots

146 stls

104.4 DRTG

206 deflections

98 loose balls recovered

542 contested shots

126 steals

104.7 DRTG

2016-2017

231 deflections

113 loose balls recovered

296 contested shots

132 stls

104.6 DRTG

237 deflections

93 loose balls recovered

666 contested shots

121 steals

107.3 DRTG

Thoughts: Both get criticized for their lack of defense but when needed to get a key defensive stop, both are very capable of doing so. Russ is the better 1 on 1 defender, Harden does contest more shots but when Westbrook does hustle more on defense, it’s kinda close but I give Russ the edge.

Playmaking

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

10.3 apg

2.15 ast/tov ratio

33.2% usage rate

81 secondary assists

1586 potential asts

7492 touches

8.8 apg

2 ast/tov ratio

36.1% usage rate

56 secondary assists

1177 potential asts

6007 touches

2016-2017

10.4 apg

1.92 ast/tov ratio

40.8% usage rate

67 secondary assists

1810 potential asts

7679 touches

11.2 apg

1.95 ast/tov ratio

34.1% usage rate

66 secondary assists

1810 potential asts

7782 touches

2015-2016

10.4 apg

2.44 ast/tov ratio

31.3% usage rate

58 secondary assists

1561 potential asts

6927 touches

7.5 apg

1.64 ast/tov ratio

32.5% usage rate

58 secondary assists

1216 potential asts

6898 touches

Thoughts: Sure Westbrook is a point guard so he should be a better playmaker, however Harden basically has been one since 2013, both turn it over a lot but make it up with countless asts. It’s safe to say that as far as the numbers go and eye test, Westbrook is the better floor general. Sure Harden knows how to slow it down better, and is better at finding the open man, but Harden has better teammates shooting wise, in other words he has more snipers that are great at catch and shoot compared to some of Westbrook’s teammates.

Rebounding

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

10.1rpg

162 contested rebs

546 uncontested rebs

5.4 rpg

63 contested rebs

325 uncontested rebs

2016-2017

10.6 rpg

679 uncontested rebs

180 contested rebounds

8.1 rpg

500 uncontested rebs

154 contested rebounds

2015-2016

7.8 rpg

473 uncontested rebs

151 contested rebs

6.2 rpg

388 uncontested rebs

117 contested rebounds

Thoughts: Clearly Westbrook is the better rebounder even with a height disadvantage, both tend to stand there to get the reb and not defend their man, but that is because their team is better on the fastbreak when russ gets the reb as well as James. Once again Russ gets the edge.

Crunch time (last 2 mins game within 5)

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

94 points

34/83 = 41%

28 rebs

6 tovs

12 asts

50 points

13/37 = 35%

6 rebs

5 tovs

3 asts

2016-2017

136 points

42/101% 41%

25 rebs

8 asts

7 tovs

63 points

11/42 = 26%

17 rebs

10 asts

8 tovs

2015-2016

66 points

12/46 = 26%

22 rebs

13 asts

10 tovs

83 points

17/56

28 rebs 30%

20 asts

8 tovs

Thoughts: Clearly Westbrook is the better better in crunch time, outside 2016, Russ the past few years has been more efficient in big time moments. Even with a cold hand I trust Russ to take over a game than Harden eh2ose a deadly scorer……up until crunch time, no disrespect to James but he’s no closer, no shocker that Russ gets the edge.

Head to head stats

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2017-2018

87 points

37/79 = 47%

17 rebs

28 asts

14 tovs

78 points

22/47 = 47%

17 rebs

34 asts

16 tovs

2016-2017

145 points

46/103 = 45%

36 rebs

37 asts

24 tovs

82 points

24/70 = 34%

29 rebs

49 asts

25 tovs

2015-2016

95 points

34/70 = 48%

43 rebs

49 asts

27 tovs

135 points

39/90 = 43%

23 rebs

35 asts

15 tovs

Thoughts: Sure HOU has beaten OKC more times (by 2) but that is a team stat and we’re looking at individual statistics something Russ has been superior at. Outscoring on a higher percentage and out rebounding James was no shocker as he is the better all around player.

Head to head playoffs

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

2016-2017

187 points (37.4ppg)

59/152 = 39%

58 rebs (11.6 rpg)

54 asts (10.8 apg)

30 tovs (6)

166 points (33.2ppg)

44/107= 41%

32 rebs (6.4 rpg)

35 asts (7 apg)

28 tovs (5.6)

Thoughts: Despite Harden having way more help, Russ who as you can see averaged a TRIPLE DUB which kept OKC close and 4/5 games were decided by single digits even though HOU was more stacked. Russ who was forced to chuck with limited help clear as day outplayed the MVP runner up all around.

Conclusion

Take it how you see it, numbers clearly point to Westbrook as he got the edge is just about every category, but if you think Harden is still the better player that’s fine.

Do you have any idea how misleading that is? First of all, Harden was traded away from Kevin Durant as well. Dion, Ibaka, Reggie Jackson went away from KD as well, let’s not ignore that. Also, OBVIOUSLY 90% of them will have better stats on their new team since their usage rate, minutes played, and role changed. Let’s not forget Durant won MVP with Russ, was a top 2 player in the world and won SCORING TITLES in OKC, so for anyone to think Westbrook held Durant back is misinformed or just a plain hater. Oladipo went from a 2nd option to a future legend into a 1st option so his Ppg average should increase as well as his field goal attempts.

If we want to use the logic of this so called “effect” then the Chris Paul effect is a thing then. Eric Bledsoe nearly doubled his Ppg average his first season away from the Clippers, also JJ Redick is having a career year offensively on the first year away from Clippers (and Chris Paul). Darren Collison went from 11.1 Ppg to 16.4 Ppg once he left the Clippers. Reggie Evans as a Clipper averaged about 2 Ppg and 5 Rebs a game, on his first year away from the Clippers he averaged 4.5 Ppg and 11 Rebs per game. See how easy it is to make the “Point god” look bad when showing cherry picked info? Heck we can even point out Harrison Barnes went from 11.7 Ppg to 19.2 Ppg in his first season leaving Stephen Curry. Does that mean Curry makes role players like Barnes worse? No.

I’m not saying Westbrook can turn role players to elite players but to blame Russ for those players like Reggie Jackson not putting up the same stats they did elsewhere is what Stephen A Smith would as blasphemous.

Is Terry Rozier the next James Harden??

Written by Francis S Estepan. April 20th, 2018.

As humans we are always looking for the next big thing. In the NBA Who will be the next MJ? Kobe? Shaq? LeBron James is still playing the game and already we are looking for who is going to one-up him? Ben Simmons? Giannis? So here is a nonsense theory for case for Terry Rozier v James Harden.

Rozier currently holding the starting position for the Boston Celtics as they faced Milwaukee Bucks. Rozier is a 6-2 lengthy sophomore guard that seems to shine whenever Brad Stevens calls his name (or Kyrie Irving is missing more time). When looking at his numbers the first thing that comes to mind is how his numbers for the season are so low. Now look at his post season numbers and you can see a different monster giving the minutes and the shots.

Be mindful that last year he was a ball dominant guard Isaiah Thomas and this year another one in Kyrie Irving. 17-18 Playoff comes his number has officially been called and he is producing at an unbelievable rate 23 Ppg, 5.5 Ast, 3.5 Rebounds while taking care of the ball. His minutes have double from the years before and he doesn’t seem to be letting fatigue slow him down.

James Harden was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and didn’t get his first start tilt his sophomore year. Fast forward some years he is the face of the Houston Rockets, making the Thunder look like they gave up gold for beach sand. Looking at the playoff numbers Harden 3rd season was where he came alive in the playoffs. (Rozier is on his 3rd year, look back at his numbers).

Rozier had a triple double in his first NBA start, that may have been a sign, some may have seen as a fluke. Brad Stevens didn’t seem too worry with Kyrie latest injury, he seem to have been prepare with an insurance policy that came with the Terry Rozier premium. The postseason is where players are made or broken? Where players earn their statuses for years to come? Vintage Rondo, Father time/Wade, Manu Ginobili.

Harden and Rozier ability to score when the stage is big could be what draws them closer in comparison. Put the numbers aside and you can find the similarity in their situations. Could it have been guaranteed that Harden would have become as dominant alongside Westbrook and Durant? Have we seen what Rozier is fully capable off?

Right now Terry Rozier is no James Harden. Should teams start throwing money bags at him, that’s above my pay grade. No team is going to sit a Kyrie Irving for a Terry Rozier. But not all teams have a Kyrie or a Harden. If Rozier talent is truly there, he shouldn’t let it go to waste being a backup. Teams in the NBA are always looking to build a solid foundation. It worked out well for Houston.

Do you think Terry Rozier the next James Harden??

(Side note: Bledsoe comments regarding not knowing who Rozier is. Any player that hits a clutch shot, has a great game against you or is between you and the next round? You know who he is. If Jrue Holiday remembers how hard Rajon Rondo plays in the playoffs from a series years ago, am sure Bledsoe remembers put him on wheels than a week ago) #BledsoeSalty

Jazz vs Thunder!! Game Preview!!Cut The Quit!! Jason Jerell!!

In this video Francis sits down with Jason Jerell and talks about the NBA Matchup Jazz Vs Thunder, NBA games and Lebron James. Jason Jerell is a former football player for Idaho State University and also founder of the “Cut The Quit/ Cheat Death Not Sets” Movement. Watch the video and leave a Comment.

(To Or Not To) Blame Russell Westbrook

By Kevin Bertalotto. March 9th, 2018.

Don’t just blame Russell Westbrook.

During the Houston Rockets Vs the Oklahoma City Thunder game a few days ago on TNT, they showed us this stat that OKC is 14-2 when Westbrook takes less than 17 shots and 26-27 when he shoots more than 17 shots. This has caused fans to make the claim that losing record is his fault. We’re going to take a look at the 27 losses OKC has had when Russ takes 17+ shots and see if he really is to blame.

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